Ms Jiya Rai, a 16-year-old girl with AutismSpectrum Disorder,the daughter of Madan Rai, MC-at-Arms II, of the Indian Navy, successfully swam across the English Channel, a distance of 34 kms, in 17 hrs 25 min and became the youngest and fastest para swimmer in the world to achieve this feat in solo swimming. In the 150 year history of the Channel swimming, Jiya is the first Autism Spectrum Disorder girl to achieve this.
Ms Jiya started her heroic effort on 28 Jul 24 from Abbotts Cliff, England and finished at Pte De La Courte- Dune, France in the early hours of 29 Jul 24. Jiya dedicated this swim for Autism awareness and in recognition of this endeavour, the period from 21-28 July 2024 for English Channel Sea Swimming was dedicated for autism awareness.
The Channel is known for its treacherous currents. It’s water temperature in July is 18o C and can cause hypothermia. Besides the hazards of jelly fish and debris, the Channel is one of the busiest shipping lanes in the world with over 600 tankers, ferries and other vessels crossing daily. Weather conditions change abruptly making it almost impossible to plan the swim in advance.
As per the Channel Swimming Association rules, the swimmer cannot leave the water or touch the pilot boat or anyone that accompanies the swimmer. Food and liquids are handed over by boat crew using a long stick. More people have scaled Mount Everest than have swum across the English Channel. In the last 100 years, only about 1,700 people have swum across the English Channel. Dreams are always grand, particularly for para swimmers whose determination is limitless. They overcome challenges with resilience, aiming for excellence and inspiring those around them. Jiya Rai exemplifies this spirit. Diagnosed with Autism Spectrum Disorder at the age of two, she found her passion for swimming during daily park visits. Although non-verbal, her parents guided her through videos, leading to a thriving para swimming career adorned with numerous accolades.
The indomitable Jiya has won wide acclaim for her swimming prowess, including the prestigious Pradhan Mantri Rashtriya Bal Puraskar. In Mar 2022, she created a new world record for the fastest swim across the Palk Strait, crossing the 29 km stretch in 13 hours and 10 min.
She was awarded the prestigious Shriver-Kennedy Student Achievement Award-2023 for her performance in Open Water Swimming. This award was presented by the Division on Autism and Developmental Disabilities (DADD) based at USA at a ceremony held at DADD’s annual conference in Clearwater, Florida on 19 Jan 2023.
Jiya also participated in the 77th edition of Open Water Long Distance Swimming Competition organised by Murshidabad Swimming Association in Bhagirathi River on 03 Sep 23. Only 14 of the 24 participants in the 81 km event completed the swim in the stipulated 13 h 30 min. Jiya completed the swim in 13 h 10 min and was the youngest and the only special child to have done so in the competition’s 77 years history.
